Council supporting Westwind Barn

In last week’s Town Crier, Los Altos Hills candidate John Vidovich took out a full-page campaign advertisement in which he invoked the name of our organization, Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped. He stated his strong support of this program and Westwind Barn, but in so doing, implied that the current council is not doing the same.

Nothing could be further from the truth. It is thanks to our current council that Westwind Barn is for the first time in its long history receiving 100 percent support from the town to realize its potential and to broaden its base of support in the community.

A Westwind Barn Committee has been established as a standing committee of the town to address the restoration of the barn and to enhance its public programs - the 4-H handicapped, pony club, and parks and recreation programs.

Hats off to the current council for stepping up to the plate to address some long-standing issues that require resolution.

Nancy Couperus

Los Altos Hills

‘Piece-meal’ is no meal at all

Los Altos School District board member David Pefley asks Los Altos Hills to believe LASD will eventually return public education to Los Altos Hills.

Pefley tends to choose his words carefully and “return public education to the Hills” leaves a lot open to interpretation.

Will this be a true “neighborhood” school, an “all-day kindergarten” school, or a school for special education students from throughout the district?

Will Los Altos School District have new school boundaries drawn - perhaps negatively affecting Los Altos families wanting to remain in their current schools? Will his “return date” be firm, or constantly changing, as evidenced in the past?

There is something even more serious than credibility. Until and unless the solution proposed by the districts considers 1) all elementary children in Los Altos Hills and, 2) all public properties in the Hills, there will not be neighborhood schools for Los Altos Hills where attendance can be routine and predictable. That is the end game.

It is not a question of whether LASD can be believed. By itself, LASD just can’t deliver true neighborhood schools for the Hills. ‘Piece-meal’ is no meal at all.

Duncan MacMillan

Los Altos Hills

Proposition 90 - just say no

Proposition 90, known as the Protect Our Homes Initiative, is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

It appears to be focused on eminent domain reform, but the measure contains far-reaching impacts that would undermine cities’ ability to plan for and protect their communities, and could potentially create huge costs for taxpayers.

The measure will enable landowners to demand substantial settlements from state and local taxpayers by merely claiming a regulation or ordinance has harmed the value of their property or business - regardless of the decision’s importance or how dubious the claim.

This would discourage local governments from taking actions on basic protections such as restricting liquor stores or adult entertainment clubs, zoning to restrict traffic, historic landmark designations, restrictions on undesirable businesses in residential neighborhoods, enforcing community design guidelines or limiting the number of houses in a development.

According to conservation groups, this measure could place significant limits on our ability to protect California’s coastline, open spaces, farmland, air and water quality.

Of significance is the redefinition of “just compensation” - requiring inflated payments when government acquires property for infrastructure improvements or even public parks.

Compensation for the property will no longer be based on “fair market value” but on the “highest and best use.” This would be the value of the land after improvements have been made. This part of the measure strays far afield of anything related to eminent domain protection.

Proposition 90 is a radical redefinition of “takings” and fundamentally benefits no one.

Randall Hull

Los Altos

Candidate does not do it alone

Thank you for your wonderful article and coverage of my candidacy for the County Board of Education (Oct. 18).

I hope that I did not suggest that I do what I do alone, since no one can do that. I rely heavily on my associates and fellow (Los Altos parks and recreation) commissioners.

I am sorry if I may have failed to recognize others who I have worked with in your article. I would like to recognize Maria Bautista, Maridee Charlton, Karen Greguras, Jenny Williams, Marian Cooper and Dennis Potter. They have also worked hard to further the progress of playground renovations.

Lynette Lee Eng

Los Altos